Dr. Kushagra Rajendra is the Head of the Department of the Amity School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Amity University Gurgaon. possesses more than 15 years of rich experience in institutional leadership, capacity building, teaching, research, and publications in the multidisciplinary area of the environment and sustainability. His expertise lies in sustainability education and a cross-disciplinary understanding of the environment. By education, he holds a Master’s, M.Phil., and PhD in interdisciplinary aspects of the environment from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Dr. Rajendra has been awarded distinctions like the Academic Excellence Medal, the President of India Gold Medal, the JRF-SRF (UGC), academic and research mobility grants from the NSF, USA, and the VLIR-UOS scholarship, Belgium. Moreover, he has published 12 papers in reputed journals and nine book chapters. He also regularly attends and organizes conferences, workshops, and seminars.

Amity University, Gurgaon

Being Head of Department, How you ensure student has holistic exposure not just academics?

As the Head of Department, ensuring students have a holistic exposure beyond academics is crucial for their overall development and success. It is carried out by engaging students in pan-academic activities, including field-based studies, workshops, guest lectures, industry visits, internships, and community services, on a regular basis as per the needs of the subject. Open communication, collaboration, and cultural diversity awareness are important tools to provide a holistic learning environment, not just to prepare students for their careers but also for a fulfilling and balanced life.

How do you try to bring in practical approach towards subjects and how students get practical experience from studying the subject?

The realm of earth and environmental science heavily relies on practical experience. A highly specific teaching approach is employed, centred around the "see and learn" method, which combines field-based learning with lab-based exposure to offer a comprehensive understanding of environmental and earth processes. To facilitate in-depth comprehension, students partake in rigorous weeklong field visits, complemented by opportunities to interact with industries relevant to the field. Additionally, regular visits to prominent academic and research institutions are arranged, enriching their knowledge and fostering a deeper connection to the subject matter. This emphasis on hands-on exploration ensures that students are well-prepared and equipped with practical skills and knowledge to excel in their academic and professional journeys in the domain of earth and environmental science.

What are the best practices offered by the department to the students which help them gain necessary skills?

Hands-on field experience is an integral part of the "see and learn" teaching approach, recognized as a highly effective practise in the Earth and Environmental Science domain. To successfully implement hands-on field experiences, the department organizes a rigorous weeklong academic field visit to significant locations, including the Himalayas, Aravali, and Vindhyan. The primary objective is to offer meaningful and immersive experiences that not only enrich students' education but also forge a deeper connection to the earth and environment, fostering a strong passion for environmental stewardship.

By going beyond traditional classroom lectures and textbooks, this experiential learning approach offers a wide array of benefits. It allows students to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in classrooms to real-life scenarios, enhancing their comprehension and retention. Additionally, students face unique challenges and uncertainties in the field, which prompts them to think critically and adapt their problem-solving approaches. Employers often highly value candidates with hands-on experience, granting graduates a competitive advantage in the job market.

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How do you help your student to cope up with the competition being so high in the outside world?

The challenge of high competition is effectively addressed through a two-pronged approach that focuses on learning and skilling to meet current demands and providing personalized mentorship and guidance to students. In the field of earth and environmental science, this approach is meticulously planned and executed by our dedicated and qualified team. Mentorship is tailored to suit each student's specific needs, encompassing career counselling, networking opportunities, resume and interview preparations, and ongoing assessment and feedback mechanisms to ensure students are market-ready and prepared for their chosen career paths. Implementing these strategies equips students not only to cope with competition but also to develop the necessary skills, confidence, and resilience to thrive in the competitive outside world.

What do you see the department’s/ college’s greatest strengths and how it helping students to excel?

Our primary asset lies in our exceptional team of extensively qualified faculty. All members hold PhD degrees along with NET certifications. They have extensive research and teaching experience. A team of passionate teachers makes students’ university journey smooth and interesting, which adds quality and value. System understanding and experience-based learning are emphasised in pedagogy, which actually transforms student progression in the area of earth and environment.

Can you share some success stories of your students/Alumni?

The progression history of our students in the Earth and Environment domain is testimony to our well-designed programme outcome. There are two kinds of approaches students can adapt for their career progression: higher education or a job in the area of sustainability. A few examples of the transformative journey of students include. Ms. Himanshi (M.Sc. 2021-23) is pursuing an M.S. in Earth and Planetary Science at the University Of Aberdeen, UK. Mr. Vivek Manyapu (M.Sc. 2016-18) is a PhD Scholar, in Biotechnology at the Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Japan. Ms. Kirtana Koorapati (B.Sc. 2016-19) is working as a Staff Professional at Geosyntec Consultants in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Ms. Megha Chauhan (M.Sc. 2015-17) is a Research Associate at Namami Gange, CPCB, New Delhi. Mr. Deepanshu Vasudeva (B.Sc. 2017-20) is pursuing M.Sc. Marine Geoscience at the University of Bremen, and Ms. Twinkle Dev (B.Sc. 2014-17) is pursuing an MPA at Dal, Public Administration & Policy Professional, Halifax, Canada.

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What valuable advice would you like to the students for them to have a prosperous career ahead?

We recommend adopting the DDI formula for our students. It stands for, discovering your strengths and interests, which is a crucial step in personal and professional growth. Take the time to reflect and identify the areas where you excel and feel most passionate. Defining your goal is a crucial step in charting your life's path and making meaningful decisions. Just as a compass points to the North, your True North is your guiding principle, the ultimate direction that shapes your actions and choices. Identifying the right platform is critical, which involves carefully assessing various factors such as the educational institution's reputation, the expertise of the faculty, the availability of resources, and the alignment of the offered programs with your career objectives.